The Children’s Museum of Phoenix Expansion Campaign
Power of Play Campaign Overview The Children’s Museum of Phoenix invites you to join us in the Power of Play, a transformative $23.5 million capital campaign to add 37,000sf of accessible new space, with fun, engaging new and reimagined exhibits and programs where children and families learn, play and build community together.
Power of Play Campaign Priorities + Full occupancy of the 80,000sf Historic Monroe School, plus 10,000sf of new additions + New and Reimagined Exhibits, Indoors and Out + Partnerships and Collaborative Spaces, including a Preschool and Early Literacy Center + Increased Access, Visitor Amenities, and Capacity
The Power of Play campaign will leverage $5.37 million in secured City of Phoenix GO Bond funding to expand the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, allowing increased capacity to more than 500,000 children and families annually, a 30+% increase from the current capacity. With increased access for visitors, collaborative partnerships that expand essential support and child development resources for parents and caregivers, and inclusive new learning environments, we will positively impact the education and quality of life for generations of Arizona children and families by engaging the minds, muscles and imaginations of children and the grown-ups who care about them.
Historic Monroe School Full Occupancy In the historic Monroe School, where square footage is at a premium and construction is challenging, this expansion creates new opportunities for the Museum as we look towards the future.
+ Renovations bring 27,000sf, including the full basement and five additional rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors, up to current code and ADA standards, opening all 80,000sf of the building for use by the Children’s Museum. + An additional 10,000sf of NEW active space will be created by closing in a courtyard, creating two open rooftop decks, and capturing an under-utilized outdoor area. All of this will provide new exhibit opportunities and great visitor amenities!
First Floor
PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUND
NEW ELEVATOR
KITCHEN
NEW CAFÉ
WORKSHOP
PRESCHOOL
STORAGE
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
NEW ADA LIFT
Admin & Support
Partnerships
New Exhibits
Amenities & Access
Outdoors
Second Floor
UP
UP
NEW ELEVATOR
EARLY LITERACY LEARNING CENTER
UP
UP
UP
NEW CAFÉ ROOF DECK
FIELD TRIP HEADQUARTERS
NEW ADA LIFT
Reimagined Exhibits
Partnerships
New Exhibits
Amenities & Access
Outdoors
UP
Third Floor
Reimagined Exhibits New Exhibits
Outdoors
Early Literacy Learning Center
“
Supporting the Children’s Museum is an investment in the power of play – a child’s first language of learning. Through hands-on exploration and imagination, kids develop creativity, confidence, and critical skills that shape a lifetime of curiosity. Play isn’t just fun – it’s the foundation of growth. Christy Burton & Jan Lewis Power of Play Co-Chairs
”
New Exhibits and Reimagined Favorites, Indoors and Out New Exhibits Over 15,000sf of new exhibits will challenge children to push limits, inspire their imaginations and promote joyful discovery. The unique developmental needs of young children are at the core of every design, and this expansion will give the Museum the space to create 8-10 new large exhibits, each made up of dozens of unique interactive elements that support early childhood development, character skills, and fun!
+ A Brave Place + Analog Makerspace + Bling + Cloud Climber + Elemental Gallery
+ Gentle Creatures Kindness Clinic + The NeighborGood + Remida Materials Atelier + Sky Room + The Snug + Mini Snugs
Reimagined Favorites As the Museum celebrates 18 years and 5 million+ lifetime visitors, we are reimagining and upgrading many of our beloved indoor and outdoor exhibit and program spaces, with endless opportunities for open-ended play. Many of our current interior exhibits will be refreshed and reimagined, preserving what is loved while updating with new educational and character-focused experiences.
+ Baby Nests
+ Pollinator Garden
+ DramaRama
+ Sunburst
+ LOCO! Motion
+ Time Together
Analog Makerspace
Gentle Creatures Kindness Clinic
A Brave Place
Elemental Gallery
Sky Room
DramaRama
LOCO! Motion
Sunburst
Pollinator Garden
Café and Outdoor Exhibit
Capacity, Increased Access, and Visitor Amenities We are prioritizing ADA-access and sensory areas for neurodivergent visitors — ensuring that all children and families can visit and engage in the Museum’s exhibits, programs, meeting spaces and outdoor activities.
+ The Snug
+ Move It! ADA Lift
+ Mini Snugs
+ Elemental Gallery
With the Museum often at capacity, the additional 37,000sf will also make room for more visitors, field trips, events and community collaborations.
+ Rooftop Rendezvous
+ Field Trip HQ
We’re adding important visitor amenities that make your visit EPIC, like an expanded café, more seating, nursing nooks, and additional family restrooms
+ Café
+ Family Restrooms
+ Watering Hole
+ Nursing Nooks
Partnerships & Collaborative Spaces Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, the Museum will expand essential support and child development resources for parents and caregivers, amplifying the great work that is already being done by our community partners — who will now be able to connect with hundreds of thousands of Museum visitors.
Preschool In partnership with the Valley of the Sun YMCA, our unused north basement will be transformed into an exciting high-quality childcare center and preschool — a long-time dream for the Museum.
Early Literacy Learning Center Rooted in the belief that literacy development begins at birth, a new Early Literacy Learning Center will support caregivers and amplify the work of literacy partners throughout the community.
Remida Materials Atelier In partnership with Italy-based Remida, children will build, create, and experiment with recycled materials sourced from regional business and industry.
Learning Lobby Dedicated entry for the Early Literacy Center, Preschool, and the Sky Room exhibit for events.
Early Literacy Learning Center
Preschool
Learning Lobby
Remida Materials Atelier
Early Literacy Learning Center
Naming and Sponsorship Opportunities Permanent Naming Please note that the commemorative gift amounts do not necessarily reflect actual construction costs. Rather, they are an indication of the memorial or tribute value. Donors will be offered a selection of commemorative naming opportunities based on the amount, date of their gift commitment, and available opportunities.
$5,000,000+
Expansion Champion Move It! Masterplan & Renovation
$3,000,000
Preschool Southeast Courtyard Expansion (Delish Café)
$2,500,000
The NeighborGood & Reimagined Exhibits
$1,750,000
Early Literacy Learning Center Rooftop Rendezvous The Cloud Climber
$1,000,000
Administration & Support Spaces Artist-in-Residency Endowment LOCO! Motion (3rd Floor Atrium) Sky Room Watering Hole
$500,000
A Brave Place East Entrance Pavilion Elemental Galllery Preschool Playground Remida Materials Atelier Room for Threes & Younger
$250,000
Analog Makerspace Early Literacy Cooperative Gentle Creatures Kindness Clinic Historic Front Stairs & Portico Learning Lobby (Preschool & Early Literacy Learning Center Entrance & Lobby) Pollinator Garden Preschool Multipurpose Room Sunburst Texture Café The Market The Snug (Sensory) Naming opportunities and giving levels may evolve as our expansion comes to life.
Exhibit Sponsorships Like all good exhibits in children’s museums, they will have a limited life span and will eventually be rotated or replaced. The sponsorship opportunities listed will be provided only for the duration of the exhibit. However, all exhibit sponsors will be permanently memorialized on the donor wall.
$100,000 ADA Lift (Historic Front Stairs)
DramaRama
Pit Stop
Amphitheater (Move It!)
Field Trip HQ
Preschool Classrooms (5)
Ballroom
Historic Front Entrance
Rainbow Stairs
Bling
Noodle Forest
Remida Network
BlockMania!/Construction/Big Bigger
North Stairs
South Stairs
Children’s Garden
Pedal Power
sssSandpit (Sand Play)
$50,000 - $99,999 (5 years) Brave Slide
Mud Kitchen
Mini Snugs (up to 3)
$25,000 - $49,999 (5 years) Baby Nests (in multiple exhibits)
Time Together (up to 10)
Donor Recognition The Power of Play is fueled by YOU, and we are honored to commemorate your generous contributions on a beautiful interactive Donor Recognition Wall with high visibility to our millions of guests. In addition, gifts of $250,000 or more will be prominently memorialized on beautiful plaques in each funded public space of the Museum. Sponsorships of $100,000 will be honored with plaques placed near the designated space and will remain for the lifetime of the exhibit.
Time Together
Elemental Gallery
NeighborGood
BlockMania!
Your Unique Investment There are many ways to contribute to the Power of Play and see your gift reflected in lasting positive impact for children and their families.
Lead Gift
Leadership gifts directly support construction and expansion into newly renovated spaces.
Sponsorship
Directly fund new exhibits and enhanced experiences for visitors of all ages.
Collaboration
Support new partnerships, experiential initiatives, and educational programming.
Endowment
Ensure the Museum’s long-term financial health.
Legacy
Invest in the Museum long-term through a planned gift from your estate.
In-Kind
Contributions of materials, professional expertise, and skilled services are welcome.
215 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034 . childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, EIN #86-0934323.